Place: Ratings & Reviews

Reviews by jcompton:

4.15/5 rDev -7.8%

dropped in this afternoon to pick up some brews for the hotel. this is by far the best selection i've seen while i've been in N.O. I spoke with who i presume was the owner. i didn't catch his name. he was more than helpful with finding some brews to make me happy. i'm going to be in N.O. for another week, and i will definitely grab a few more brews from here before i leave. here's my mini-haul:

More User Reviews:

I really wish I could score the "Food" category higher than a 5 because they make some unbelievably good sandwiches and rolls! Great beer selection and they tend to get a lot of the harder to get stuff in pretty readily. If you go there to only peruse over the great beer selection and don't pick up something from the deli then you've missed out!

This place is unique and has a interesting set up. A few coolers full of imports, mostly Belgian and German, as well as some American craft, are up front in the deli area. Out the back door and to the right is a small but packed beer room. Selection is really good and well stocked, lots of singles and bombers, at prices that are a bit high, but not outrageous. The staff member in the rear room was nice enough, however the young man up front where I checked out, not so much. He was on the phone throughout our transaction, and seemed to get agitated when I had the audacity to ask for a bag for my beer. Overall, great selection, cool atmosphere, didn't try the food but it looked great. The downside is prices are a bit high, and service not so good.

Very cool place. A true Kosher deli. Delicious food, they specialize in sammies, huge beer selection to go, very small but enough room to eat, good coffee, fast and good service. The owner Dan seems like he's straight outta the East Coast. Very monotonous but seems like a good guy.

This place is packed to the brim on an early spring Saturday afternoon. Most of the customers appear to have come for the deli, which has a huge selection of quality meets and cheeses. Some pigs heads lie around in the fridge, staring past the cold cuts, and adding to the overall ambiance. I'll pass on the headcheese though. On the menu there's tons of sandwiches of just about every sort to choose from. I had the Reuben, and it was driptastically fantastic and flavorful.

But the real reason I stopped by is for the beer. I peruse the place, taking in the eclectic mix of tourists and locals (businessmen, hipsters, punks) and ask myself incredulously, is that the entire beer selection in that small cooler filled with indie colas, some Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada and Brooklyn? ...but wait! There's a sign of hope, and that sign says "Beer" with an arrow pointing to the back. I dare tread through what amounts to the back of the kitchen and into an alley, and I'm thinking how easy it would be to roll a beer geek with a pocket full of cash back here.

I quickly notice a door to the immediate right. This is either safe haven or the pathway to a very bad day. I open it and go in. And what do I find? The smallest beer store in America! But trust me, size doesn't matter in this instance. Stacked randomly around the tiny space are many rare sours that I'm not familiar with (or just don't remember), select Founders, Pretty Things, Stillwater, Terrapin, Clown Shoes, Prairie and so forth and so on. There's not one mediocre brewery represented.

Dan (the owner and resident curmudgeon as legend would tell) was helpful, not pushy, and generally congenial albeit somewhat busy. I get the feeling the guy is maligned a bit to tell the truth. He has a nicely curated room of beer, takes pride in it, and there's nothing wrong with that. While we didn't totally agree on his locals only policy in regards to rare beer, I never felt short-changed in any way. I walked away with a good haul, a full tummy, and a smile on my face.

Stein's Deli is quintessential New Orleans. Unique and gritty. It can be petulant one minute, then turn around and charm your pants off the next. It can make you wish you never stopped by, until you find yourself missing it after you've left. These are the paradoxical qualities that make me love the city, and now make me love Stein's Deli.

Atmosphere: Perfect deli atmosphere with an amazing beer room in the back. Stein's easily has the best selection of hard to find beer in New Orleans. They always have a wide selection of beer in the cooler and in the back room that cannot be found anywhere else in the city. Plus, all of it can be bought into singles, which I really enjoy. Seating can be cramped when it is busy, but it smells amazing in there, and it is only crowded becuase of the delicious sandwiches.

Quality: I have never had an issue with old/dated beer and every sandwich I have ever eaten has been outstanding. The best sandwiches in New Orleans.

Service: I have always received quick, friendly service. I don't consider myself a recognizable regular; however, I have been the Stein's 25+ times for beer or food. The owner Dan can be a little short at times or come off as rude, but I think it is just because he owns a busy/successful business. Plus, even though they close at 7pm I think during the week, they will let you come in and buy beer after closing. I have done this multiple times (after calling and asking if it is ok) and they are always really nice when I come in and don't make it seem like I am bothering them at all, even though I'm there past closing.

Selection: Like I already said, the best and widest selection of beer in New Orleans. If they don't have it, nobody else in New Orleans will.

Food: Again, the best sandwiches in New Orleans.

Value: The prices are a little higher than everywhere else, but you pay more for hard to find beer. Sandwiches are a little on the pricey side as well, but they are really big and fillig so I have no complaints.

Overall: This is a must stop for any beer lover going to New Orleans. Stop by, get a sandwich, and look over their beer selection that is lightyears above any other New Orleans establishment.

First off, write-off many of the negative reviews you see on this site. They are for two reasons:

1. The customer came during lunch-time, when the shop is packed because the sandwiches are KILLER. Yeah, the beer service isn't great at this time, but, God forbid, you hang out for a bit and have a reuben? Yeah then you can talk to Dan (the owner) about his awesome selection.

2. Preferential Treatment: Yeah, it happens here, but doesn't this occur anywhere? If an owner gets 1 case of a highly sought-after beer, is he or she not right to share with his or her best customers? I say yes, but that's a personal opinion. People from out of state may not get the extreme "rare" beers here, but they will still do well.

The food is spectacular, grab a sandwich if you're at all hungry.

And the beer, yeah, it's the best you can get in the state of Louisiana. I lived here for one year, and Dan, thank you for everything.

This is a superb shop, visit if you can, get a great sandwich and leave with better beer.

Went here after seeing this place mentioned on here. Walked in, pretty dumpy place but did have quite a few beers. I picked up several Praire Ales, Evil Twin, and then found 2 bottles of Hommage. Went to the counter to check out, guy, (owner) asks where I'm from. I tell him Florida and he says he can't sell me the Hommage, only "regular" customers can buy. I ask why it's on the shelf, he says it shouldn't be and he won't sell it to me. Again, because I am from out of town. He continues to ring up my other $130 worth of beer and I tell him I won't buy it if he is dictating what I can buy. He gets loud with me, says "this is why I hate out of town people." Suck a D man!! Pizz on this place!